Development of a novel articulator that reproduced jaw movement with six-degree-of-freedom

A novel robotic articulator that reproduced a six-degree-of-freedom jaw movement was developed and tested. A precise six-axis micro-positioning stage was employed for this articulator. A high-resolution jaw-tracking device measured the functional jaw movement of the patient and a six-axis micro-positioning stage reproduced recorded jaw movement data. A full veneer crown restoration was fabricated with this articulator system. A working cast was mounted on the positioning stage of the articulator. An occlusal table with soft wax was attached on the cast tooth die, and the jaw movements were reproduced to create a functionally generated path on the occlusal table. The finished occlusal record was used to obtain the wax pattern for the crown. In this subject, no intra-oral occlusal adjustment was necessary for setting the finished full veneer crown. Since this articulator could perform a precise reproduction of the dynamic jaw motion during the functional jaw movement, this system has potential to improve accuracy of the prosthetic teeth occlusion.